On Friday, March 13, at a press conference held at the Grenada Tourism Authority’s offices, the tourism team gathered to share the exciting news of their historic five-award sweep at the PATWA International Travel Awards 2026 with the local media and stakeholders. It was a moment of quiet pride and collective celebration, an opportunity for the people behind the wins to reflect publicly on what the recognition means for Grenada as a whole.
The awards were presented on March 4, 2026, at the 26th edition of the PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit, held during ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show. The ceremony, presented by PATWA Secretary General Yatan Ahluwalia and Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, drew tourism leaders from across the globe and followed a high-level summit on the future of travel, with ministers from Grenada, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Botswana and Jamaica among those sharing their vision for sustainable and innovative tourism development.
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Grenada’s first and perhaps most defining recognition came with the PATWA International Travel Award 2026 for Destination of the Year — Caribbean Experiences, a distinction that celebrates the island’s deeply rooted tourism offering built on culture, authenticity and a commitment to genuine community connection. It was a fitting tribute to a destination that has long resisted the temptation to compete on scale alone, choosing instead to build its brand around the richness of its people, landscapes and traditions.
Stacey Liburd, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority, claimed the PATWA Gold Award for Excellence in Destination Development (The Caribbean), with Liburd noting that the recognition “affirms the strength of Grenada’s tourism product and the collaborative work taking place across our public and private sectors,” adding that the GTA’s approach has “always been grounded in authenticity, sustainability and community connection.”
Liburd expressed that receiving the award caught her off guard, and shared that what they do comes with “a lot of personal sacrifices in the name of the country and the GDP”. She added that the award “adds a different layer of passion with the bar being set high” and for the GTA it means “remembering why we do what we do, thinking critically and having a great strategy” which makes all the difference….as they look forward to inviting collaboration locally, regionally, and internationally.
The political leadership behind Grenada’s tourism strategy also received global recognition. Senator the Honorable Adrian Thomas, Minister for Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, won the PATWA International Travel Award 2026 for Tourism Minister of the Year — Sustainable Development, an acknowledgement of the government’s clear-eyed focus on building a tourism economy that serves both visitors and residents for the long term.
He accepted the award not as personal accolade, but on behalf of the tri-island state. He shared, “In Grenada, sustainability is not a slogan; it is a survival strategy. As a small island developing state and a big ocean state, climate change is not theoretical; it is real. Our tourism model is therefore anchored in environmental protection, community empowerment and economic inclusion. If we protect our environment and empower our people, tourism will protect our future.”
The private sector was equally celebrated. Spice Island Beach Resort claimed the award for Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean, while Janelle M. Hopkin, President and Managing Director of the resort, took home the PATWA Gold Award for Woman of the Year — Hospitality (The Caribbean), recognizing not only the property’s excellence but the leadership driving it.
Together, the five awards paint a picture of a destination firing on all cylinders, a government setting smart policy, a tourism authority executing with focus and integrity, and a private hospitality sector delivering world-class experiences. The PATWA International Travel Awards, now in their 26th year, are widely regarded as among the travel industry’s most respected and coveted honors, with this year’s jury evaluating over 550 nominations before selecting just 80 awardees. To claim five of those honors in a single evening is a statement of genuine and sustained excellence.
For Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the night in Berlin was confirmation that the small island’s big vision for tourism is being seen, recognized and celebrated on the world stage.
Other Caribbean destinations included Jamaica – Destination of the Year Worldwide and The Bahamas – Destination of the Year Lifetime Experiences.
